Panel for maintaining high pressure strength at any point

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a high-strength panel used as flooring in a clean facility, such as a semiconductor clean room. The high-strength panel comprises rim ribs, each having a tapered surface, formed at a respective rim portions of the panel. A main reinforcing rib divides an interior space defined by the rim potions into a plurality of square lattice sections. A plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs is arranged in each of the square lattice sections to divide the lattice sections into sub-sections, wherein a plurality of circular recesses is diagonally arranged in each sub-section, Each circular recess is surrounded by a circular rib. Accordingly, a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load is enhanced. Thus, the strength of the panel for resisting a concentrated load is increased by distributing the load downwardly concentrated at a specific location of the panel throughout the entire panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 2005-69402, filed on Jul. 29, 2005, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high-strength panel for use as flooring in a clean facility, such as a semiconductor clean room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known to those skilled in the art, a clean room in which a variety of special experimental and production equipment are mounted, utilizes a double flooring system. Examples of such clean rooms include a production room for highly integrated circuits such as semiconductors and a genetic engineering laboratory. The double flooring system is constructed with a predetermined height in order to uniformly distribute the load of the variety of special equipment while effectively absorbing and removing exterior dust particles, fine particulates, and the like to thereby prevent the generation of cracks or depressions in the floor even when the load is concentrated on a specific location of the double flooring system.

When the double flooring system is used at certain locations where permeation of cold air into the flooring system, or overheating of the flooring system caused by heat produced from special machinery must be prevented, or at places requiring an adjustment in the temperature and humidity of the room and an absorption and removal of dust particles, fine particulates and the like, the double flooring system may include a porous panel possessing a number of fine pores. An underside of the porous panel forms a floor having a supporting structure. Due to a variety of exhaust devices and cable equipment being mounted underneath the floor, the floor, being the bottom surface of a semiconductor clean room, must be spaced apart from the ground by a certain constant height. Considering the size of the exhaust devices and cable equipment and other various conditions, the installation height of the floor must have variability.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a structure of a conventional bottom panel for use in a clean room. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional bottom panel 2 comprises a rim portion 202 formed along the rim of a lower surface of the panel, wherein the rim portion 202 has a plurality of rectangular recesses. The convention bottom panel 2 also comprises a plurality of square lattice sections 204 defined inside the rim portion 202.

The conventional bottom panel 2 further comprises a main reinforcing rib 206, which serves as a partition between the lattice sections 204. As shown in FIG. 2, the main reinforcing rib 206 has a predetermined height. A plurality of circular recesses 208 are vertically and horizontally formed at a bottom surface of the panel 2 sectionalized by the main reinforcing rib 206. The circular recesses 208 respectively adjacent to one another are interconnected by vertical and horizontal bars 210 so that octagonal recesses 212 are defined in spaces therebetween.

The conventional bottom panel having the above described configuration, however, is problematic because the bottom panel is easily warped or damaged by shock or vibration when a variety of heavy equipment is directly disposed on an upper surface of the bottom panel.

Specifically, if the bottom panel is exposed to a vertical load transmitted from the heavy equipment to the upper surface thereof, and an eccentric load when the equipment is gathered at a specific location on the panel, the vertical and eccentric loads tend to be concentrated on the circular recesses 208, the circular recess connecting bars 210 and the octagonal recesses 212 between the respective adjacent circular recesses 208.

Because each lattice section 204, defined by the main reinforcing rib 206, has relatively large vertical and horizontal lengths and the plurality of circular recesses 208 is distributed in the lattice section 204, if the vertical load and lateral eccentric load are transmitted to the center of the lattice section 204, the circular recesses 208 and the octagonal recesses 212, located at the center of the lattice section 204, will be incapable of withstanding such load, thus causing the generation of damage and cracks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a high-strength panel for use as flooring in a clean facility, such as a semiconductor clean room.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention is embodied in a high-strength panel comprising rim ribs formed at respective rim portions of the panel and each provided with a tapered surface to have a downwardly increasing thickness, a main reinforcing rib serving as a partition to divide an interior space defined by the rim portions into a plurality of square lattice sections, a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs arranged in a respective one of the square lattice sections to divide the square lattice section into 4 rows and 4 columns, i.e. into sixteen sub-sections, and a plurality of circular recesses formed at a bottom layer of each sub-section defined by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs, whereby the panel achieves an enhancement in supporting force resistant to vertical load and eccentric load applied thereto.

Preferably, the rim portions are centrally formed with a predetermined number of rim lattice sections, and each rim lattice section is divided into four sub-sections by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs. The circular recesses, formed at a lower surface of the sub-section defined by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs, are surrounded by circular ribs, respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a high-strength panel for enhancing a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load applied thereto comprises a plurality of square lattice sections formed by a plurality of main reinforcing ribs intersecting one another, a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs formed in each of the plurality of square lattice sections, wherein the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs are arranged to divide each square lattice section into sub-sections, and a plurality of circular ribs formed in each sub-section, wherein each circular rib has a circular recess. Preferably, the high-strength panel further comprises rim ribs formed at edges of the high-strength panel.

In one aspect of the present invention, a height of the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs is one-half a height of the plurality of main reinforcing ribs. Alternatively, a height of the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs is one-half to one-third a height of the plurality of main reinforcing ribs.

Preferably, the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs divides each square lattice section into sixteen sub-sections of four rows and four columns. Preferably, the circular recesses are formed in a 2×2 array in each sub-section, diagonally aligned in each sub-section, and arranged in each sub-section to define a diamond-shaped supporting recess in the center of the sub-section. A diagonal length of the diamond-shaped recess is shorter than a diameter of the circular recess.

In another aspect of the present invention, the rim ribs are respectively formed at rim portions of the high-strength panel. Moreover, the rim ribs comprise a tapered surface having a downwardly increasing thickness. Preferably, the rim portions are formed with a predetermined number of rim lattice sections, wherein each rim lattice section is divided into four sub-sections by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a high-strength panel for enhancing a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load applied thereto comprises a plurality of square lattice sections formed by a plurality of main reinforcing ribs intersecting one another, a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs formed in each of the plurality of square lattice sections, wherein the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs are arranged to divide each square lattice section into sub-sections, a plurality of circular recesses formed in a 2×2 array in each sub-section, and rim ribs respectively formed at rim portions of the high-strength panel.

Preferably, the circular recesses are diagonally aligned in each sub-section and are arranged in each sub-section to define a diamond-shaped supporting recess in the center of the sub-section. Preferably, the rim ribs comprise a tapered surface having a downwardly increasing thickness.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a conventional panel for use in a clean room.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the conventional panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a high-strength panel for use in a clean room in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the high-strength panel of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the high-strength panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a high-strength panel for enhancing a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load applied thereto.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a high-strength panel for use in a clean room. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the high-strength panel of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the high-strength panel. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, rim ribs 316, which form rim portions 302 of a high-strength panel 30 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6), have increased thickness as compared to a conventional panel. Each rim rib 316 further has a tapered surface.

Furthermore, the rim ribs 316 of the rim portions 302, which support four corners of the panel 30, are reinforced in consideration of a higher height of the ribs. Accordingly, resistance against initial deformation is increased. Moreover, because of a thicker thickness of the ribs, critical strength to sustain a breaking load is enhanced. Also, the presence of the tapered surface allows the rim ribs 316 to achieve a uniform initial deformation value and breaking strength at any location thereof.

In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8, are arranged in respective lattice sections defined by a main reinforcing rib 306. Preferably, the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 have half the height of the main reinforcing rib 306, and are arranged to divide a respective one of the lattice sections into 4 rows and 4 columns. That is, each lattice section defined by the main reinforcing rib 306 is divided into sixteen sub-sections by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307.

Preferably, each sub-section, defined by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307, is formed at a lower surface thereof with circular recesses 308 in a 2×2 array. The circular recesses 308 are diagonally aligned to minimize the area of a recess defined therebetween. Also, a circular rib 314 surrounds each circular recess 308, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8. With this configuration, a supporting force of the panel 30 resistant to the vertical load and eccentric load is enhanced, and a degradation of the supporting force at a specific location of the panel 30 is prevented.

Therefore, by virtue of the rim ribs 316 and the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 inside the main reinforcing rib 306, the panel 30 of the present invention achieves an enhanced supporting force resistant to the vertical and eccentric loads and prevents a degradation of the supporting force at a specific location thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the plurality of circular recesses 308, which are surrounded by the respective circular ribs 314, are formed at a bottom layer 310 of each sub-section defined by the respective auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307.

As shown in FIG. 6, the height of the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 is preferably approximately ½ to ⅓ the height of the main reinforcing rib 306.

Such a height of the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 is determined in consideration of the material costs of the entire panel as well as a panel supporting force effective to resist the vertical and eccentric loads. Thus, an excessively high height of the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 beyond the above range is economically undesirable because it results in an increase in the price of products.

Meanwhile, with respect to the circular recesses 308 in accordance with the present invention, the thicker the thickness of the circular rib 314 that encloses a respective one of the circular recesses 308, the supporting force resistant to the vertical and eccentric loads is increased.

As shown in FIG. 7, the circular recesses 308, formed at the lower surface of the high-strength panel 30, are diagonally spaced apart, rather than being vertically and horizontally spaced apart, from one another. In this case, the respective adjacent four circular recesses 308 in a 2×2 array define a diamond-shaped supporting recess 312 in the center thereof. The diamond-shaped supporting recess 312 is better at enhancing the supporting force while keeping the original shape of the circular recesses 308. Preferably, a diagonal length of the diamond-shaped recess 312 is shorter than a diameter of the circular recess 308.

In the present invention, the rim portions 302 of the supporting panel 30 are centrally formed with a predetermined number of rim lattice sections 303, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Each of the rim lattice sections 303 contains the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 307 which divide the lattice section 303 into four sub-sections.

As is apparent from the above description, the high-strength panel of the present invention is configured such that rim ribs are formed along the rim of the panel and a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs are arranged in a respective one of lattice sections defined by a main reinforcing rib so as to provide the entirety of the panel with a supporting force for effectively increasing the strength of the panel resistant to a concentrated load. Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of circular recesses is formed at a lower surface of the panel and is surrounded by circular ribs, respectively, it is possible to effectively support vertical and eccentric loads applied to the entirety of the panel while preventing the downwardly applied load from being concentrated at a specific location of the panel by distributing the load throughout the panel.

Although the bottom supporting panel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications of the present invention, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A high-strength panel comprising: rim ribs formed at respective rim portions of the panel and each provided with a tapered surface to have a downwardly increasing thickness; a main reinforcing rib serving as a partition to divide an interior space defined by the rim portions into a plurality of square lattice sections; a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs arranged in a respective one of the square lattice sections to divide the square lattice section into 4 rows and 4 columns, i.e. into sixteen sub-sections; and a plurality of circular recesses formed at a bottom layer of each sub-section defined by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs, whereby the panel achieves an enhancement in supporting force resistant to vertical load and eccentric load applied thereto.
 2. The high-strength panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rim portions are centrally formed with a predetermined number of rim lattice sections, and each rim lattice section is divided into four sub-sections by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs.
 3. The high-strength panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the circular recesses, formed at a lower surface of the sub-section defined by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs, are surrounded by circular ribs, respectively.
 4. A high-strength panel for enhancing a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load applied thereto, comprising: a plurality of square lattice sections formed by a plurality of main reinforcing ribs intersecting one another; a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs formed in each of the plurality of square lattice sections, wherein the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs are arranged to divide each square lattice section into sub-sections; and a plurality of circular ribs formed in each sub-section, wherein each circular rib has a circular recess.
 5. The high-strength panel of claim 4, further comprising rim ribs formed at edges of the high-strength panel.
 6. The high-strength panel of claim 4, wherein a height of the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs is one-half a height of the plurality of main reinforcing ribs.
 7. The high-strength panel of claim 4, wherein a height of the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs is one-half to one-third a height of the plurality of main reinforcing ribs.
 8. The high-strength panel claim 4, wherein the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs divides each square lattice section into sixteen sub-sections of four rows and four columns.
 9. The high-strength panel of claim 4, wherein the circular recesses are formed in a 2×2 array in each sub-section.
 10. The high-strength panel of claim 4, wherein the circular recesses are diagonally aligned in each sub-section.
 11. The high-strength panel of claim 4, wherein the circular recesses are arranged in each sub-section to define a diamond-shaped supporting recess in the center of the sub-section.
 12. The high-strength panel of claim 11, wherein a diagonal length of the diamond-shaped recess is shorter than a diameter of the circular recess.
 13. The high-strength panel of claim 5, wherein the rim ribs are respectively formed at rim portions of the high-strength panel.
 14. The high-strength panel of claim 5, wherein the rim ribs comprise a tapered surface having a downwardly increasing thickness.
 15. The high-strength panel of claim 13, wherein the rim portions are formed with a predetermined number of rim lattice sections.
 16. The high-strength panel of claim 15, wherein each rim lattice section is divided into four sub-sections by the auxiliary reinforcing ribs.
 17. A high-strength panel for enhancing a supporting force for resisting a vertical load and an eccentric load applied thereto, comprising: a plurality of square lattice sections formed by a plurality of main reinforcing ribs intersecting one another; a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs formed in each of the plurality of square lattice sections, wherein the plurality of auxiliary reinforcing ribs are arranged to divide each square lattice section into sub-sections; a plurality of circular recesses formed in a 2×2 array in each sub-section; and rims ribs respectively formed at rim portions of the high-strength panel.
 18. The high-strength panel of claim 17, wherein the circular recesses are diagonally aligned in each sub-section.
 19. The high-strength panel of claim 17, wherein the circular recesses are arranged in each sub-section to define a diamond-shaped supporting recess in the center of the sub-section.
 20. The high-strength panel of claim 17, wherein the rim ribs comprise a tapered surface having a downwardly increasing thickness. 